It's not too late to start revising
Published on 14 December 16
If you’ve been distracted by the Christmas celebrations or have been just enjoying time away from the University, now is the time to refocus on exams. It’s not too late to start revising, if you're dedicated. It’s not going to be a lot of fun, but you will be glad to get going once you’ve started.
1. Create a schedule
Plan which units you’re going to revise on which days and stick to it! The Library has sessions for planning and organising your work. If you have no time to make a schedule, use your exam timetable as a guide for what to be revising when.
2. Read, read and reread
The only way to make sure you really know anything is to keep going over it. The Library is offering quick workshops which will help you to efficiently proofread your notes and read more critically.
3. Don’t stay up too late – keep a routine and rest
Try not to exhaust yourself in the first day of revising, and set yourself achievable goals. That way you won’t be too tired or demoralised to get up the next day and carry on. Making sure that you stick to goals will ensure that you are making progress without rushing through the right material.
4. Summarise your notes in a digestible form
Translating notes from lectures can take a lot of work. The Library has tips to ensure that you tailor your notes to your learning style.
5. Keep on task
Now is not the time to open the box set you got for Christmas, nor is it the time to develop your love for baking. Be strict with yourself, you’ll only feel guilty for procrastinating anyway, and you can do all the baking you like when your exams are over, safe in the knowledge you tried your hardest. Or, you could dedicate an hour at the end of each day for doing things you enjoy, as a reward for a full day’s work. Workshops to help you calm your busy mind, and help to tackle will be taking place over the exam period.
6. Keep checking your exam timetable
Everyone has heard myths of students sleeping through alarms, getting exams mixed up and going to the wrong venue, but it does occasionally happen. Having this in your head, and ensuring you have enough time to get to your exam is one less thing to worry about.
7. Stay motivated
Use the image of yourself walking out of your final exam as your motivator. Keep in mind that the exam period won’t last forever, that everybody is in the same boat as you and that soon it will be time to celebrate your hard work. Whether it’s Pangaea festival or a pyjama party you’ve got planned to celebrate, make sure you keep your eyes on the light at the end of that tunnel!
For full details of all the help on offer to prepare you for exams or assignments and help you through the exam period, see the Exam Extra website.